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As you are exploring Punjab, a visit to the state’s largest city, Ludhiana, is an absolute must. Being the largest city, there are numerous dishes worth trying. Not just vegetarian delicacies, Ludhiana offers a wide range of non-vegetarian dishes too. The foods in Ludhiana focus on hearty, robust flavours and Tandoor-based cooking, one that’s surely going to render you speechless. There is a Mughal-style cooking influence too, which adds to the taste and the richness of every dish as well.
10 Best Food In Ludhiana
Known for its love for dairy, spices, and hearty meals, the best food in Ludhiana offers a range of dishes giving you an unforgettable experience.
1. Dal Makhani
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To start with, there’s Dal Makhani, a vegetarian dish that’s adored by people across the city and India. This rich lentil gravy is made with a mixture of different lentils and pulses, which is slow-cooked and simmered for hours. In Ludhiana, dal makhni is prepared using a blend of black lentils (like urad dal) along with red rajma beans. Also, there is a blend of spices involving onion and garlic, which adds to the rustic nature of the dish. It is best enjoyed with naan but you can also eat it with tandoori roti.
Where To Try: Subhash Vaishno Dhaba, Goila Butter Chicken, Pyramic
Cost: ₹200 – ₹300 per plate
2. Tandoori Fish
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If you aren’t in the mood for chicken but also want to enjoy the smokiness of the tandoors, Tandoori Fish is a great alternative to try in Ludhiana. Fresh fish is marinated in a blend of yoghurt, spices, and lemon juice, and then cooked in a traditional tandoor. The result is a smoky, succulent, and slightly charred fish, served with mint chutney and lemon wedges. If you are on a health train and don’t want to eat something rich or too buttery, this is a great alternative. The spices are robust and the flavour is quite subtle, especially going well with the white fish.
Where To Try: Baba Chicken or Spicy Hut
Cost: ₹300 – ₹500 per plate
3. Mooli Paratha
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Paratha is a staple dish enjoyed across Punjab. So, while you are in Ludhiana, consider trying some Mooli Paratha, which is quite out of the ordinary and has a different flavour than your staple aloo paratha. It is a whole wheat paratha stuffed with a spiced mixture of grated radish, green chillies, and coriander. Depending on where you are trying it, the paratha will be topped with a generous serving of white butter and has onion slices on the side. In some cases, it is served with some curd and pickles too.
Where To Try: Kesar Da Dhaba or Gyan Vegetarian Dhaba
Cost: ₹50 – ₹100 per paratha
4. Kharode (Paya Soup)
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For the non-vegetarians, another must-try dish when in Ludhiana is Kharode. This is a flavourful and hearty soup made from goat or lamb trotters. The trotters are slow-cooked with garlic, ginger, onions, and a blend of spices, resulting in a rich, gelatinous broth that’s often eaten as a restorative dish during winter. It is not available quite generously around Ludhiana and only a select few restaurants whip up this delicacy through the winters. The dish is great for immunity and even better for the skin and is best enjoyed with naan or bread.
Where To Try: Ludhiana’s small dhabas
Cost: ₹150 – ₹300 per bowl
5. Gajrela
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Gajrela also known as Gajar Halwa in the rest of the country, Gajrela is a rich, traditional dessert made from grated carrots cooked with milk, sugar, and ghee, then garnished with cardamom, almonds, and raisins. The dessert is usually quite popular during the winter months, offering a comforting and indulgent end to every meal. Also, it is one of those desserts that aren’t too sweet, so if you aren’t fond of extra-sugary desserts, this is a great choice.
Where To Try: Lovely Sweets or Agarwal Sweets
Cost: ₹300 – ₹500 per kg
6. Aloo Wadiyan
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Aloo Wadiyan is a traditional Punjabi dish that uses “wadi” and potatoes cooked in a spicy tomato-based gravy. The wadiyan adds a unique texture and flavour to the dish, making it a beloved part of Ludhiana’s home-style cooking. It is usually served with rice or roti, this dish is particularly popular during festive or family occasions. Since it is primarily a home-style curry, you won’t find this dish easily at any of the fine dining restaurants around Ludhiana. Ensure that you are visiting the local eateries or dhabas around Ludhiana to get a taste of this unique dish.
Where To Try: Available in local dhabas or home-style restaurants
Cost: ₹100 – ₹150 per plate
7. Samosa Chaat
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To indulge in some good street food around Ludhiana, Samosa Chaat is one of those options you wouldn’t regret trying. In this, a deep-fried samosa is crushed and topped with yoghurt, tamarind mint chutneys, chickpeas, onions, and sev. The blend of textures and flavours—crisp samosa, soft chickpeas, tangy chutneys—creates a delightful explosion of taste in every bite. It is one of those affordable evening snacks that you can indulge in after shopping at the local markets. The overall taste is great but the best part is that you can customise the taste as per your palate.
Where To Try: Pandit Ji Chaat Corner or Ghumar Mandi
Cost: ₹50 – ₹100 per plate
8. Kadhi Pakora
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Kadhi Pakora is a tangy yoghurt-based curry cooked with gram flour and served with crispy gram flour fritters (pakoras). This comforting dish is usually served with rice and is a popular meal in Ludhiana, especially on rainy days. The flavour of the kadhi with the crunch of the pakoras creates a perfect blend of textures and tastes. Also, there are spots where the pakora is deep fried and soaked in the kadhi and there are a select few spots where the pakora is “steamed” directly inside the kadhi, making it a slightly healthier option.
Where To Try: Sharma Ji Ke Kadhi Te Rajma Chawal, Chelsi Himalaya Fresh
Cost: ₹100 – ₹150 per plate
9. Rajma Chawal
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While on the topic of Punjabi staples to try in Ludhiana, Rajma Chawal is another popular option you can’t miss out on. The dish uses rajma aka kidney beans, which are cooked in a thick tomato gravy with Indian spices and served with steaming hot rice (chawal), which is a comfort food that has won the hearts of many. Ludhiana’s version of this dish is hearty, spicy, and often accompanied by pickles and yoghurt. It’s an everyday meal with a wholesome punch. The best way to enjoy Rajma is with a steamy plate of rice.
Where To Try: Sethni Dhaba and Lahori Dhaba
Cost: ₹100 – ₹150 per plate
10. Amritsari Kulcha
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Last on the list is Amritsari Kulcha, which is a stuffed bread that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is filled with spiced mashed potatoes, onions, and green chillies, then baked in a tandoor. Given how flavourful the filling is, you can eat it on its own but the flavours of this bread are best enjoyed with some chole, onions and tamarind chutney on the side. Depending on the kind of place you visit, there are some whose filling has more paneer than potato, letting you add up to your daily protein requirement too.
Where To Try: Kulcha Land and Bittu Da Dhaba
Cost: ₹100 – ₹200 per plate
If you are out and about looking for the best food in Ludhiana, there are several amazing options to try. Be it the amazing vegetarian options like Rajma Chawal or Kadhi Pakora or the hearty non-vegetarian options like Paya or Tandoori Fish, there’s something to cater to the taste buds of every traveller. To immerse yourself in these local dishes, plan a trip with TripXL to get a taste of yourself.
Cover Photo: Zi’s Food&NatureArt / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
